Construction for new $1.9b police complex in western Jamaica to start April 2019

Minister of National Security Dr Horace Chang says construction of a $1.9 billion complex to accommodate the police in western Jamaica is to begin next year April.

Chang, who was speaking at a town hall meeting at the Montego Bay Cultural Centre in Sam Sharpe Square on Thursday, said the Mobile West Police Complex will be constructed in Montego Hills, St James.

“This $1.9 billion Mobile Reserve complex will be constructed in two phases. March 2019 is the projected timeline for the award of contracts while construction would begin a month later in April 2019,” he said.

The complex will comprise of approximately 300 residential facilities to house police personnel and will be accessible to all members of the force deployed in that area.

The national security minister told patrons at the meeting that the new police complex will facilitate quicker responses from the JCF in the parish, especially after the enhanced security measures are discontinued.

Dubbed the Mobile West Police Complex, it will comprise four 3-storey dormitory blocks, a general administrative building to include a cafeteria, auditorium facilities, conference rooms and a multipurpose court.

“This high-security facility will have manned entry points, internal checkpoints and security towers. There will also be parking areas, storm weather drains, sewage collection and water distribution networks, potable water systems, centralized water storage and all the other amenities applicable to a modern purpose built facility,” Chang outlined.

He explained that the overall goal is to improve the conditions under which police officers serve, as well as encourage and boost morale.

The development of the Mobile West Police Complex forms part of the security ministry’s Five Pillar Crime Reduction Strategy, which places emphasis on effective policing and situational prevention.